PersuasionNo. 47

Pratfall effect

Research shows that it’s possible to be too perfect. Revealing flaws, admitting weaknesses and confessing to embarrassing mishaps can help readers to see the humanity inside your corporate façade. By being honest about a flaw, readers are more likely to trust your other claims and promises.

From The Choice Factory by Richard Shotton

Try this

Admit one small, endearing flaw in your copy. Does it make the rest feel more trustworthy?

Ideas

Open a ten-minute sprint with Pratfall effect as your prompt.

Try it in Ideas

Try it on your copy

Paste a line. Rewrite it using Pratfall effect.

Stays on this page. Nothing is saved or sent.

Good for

PositioningAbout pagesSocial

Related cards

Ideas

Take it further

Run a ten-minute sprint with Pratfall effect as your prompt. Free, with no sign-in: it stays on your device.

Start a sprint

CopyDeck is the free part of Ideas. Studio is ProCopywriters’ tools for people who write copy, included in Pro membership.